LIVERPOOL look poised to miss out on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, after the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder rubbished reports linking him to Anfield.

Reports have been awash recently about Mkhitaryan's future, with Liverpool thought to be in the driving seat for his signature after Ian Ayre cancelled a trip to Rio de Janiero.

The Reds, who have already done some early business in the transfer window, had been told by the Ukraine giants they would have to fork up £20m for his services.

However, Mkhitaryan has poured cold water on the rumours, by making a post on his official Facebook page.

It read: "I am happy to see that people show keen interest in my career but I would like to ask all not only to refrain from making comments but also to prevent the spread of unverified and false information.